THE MAIL
If everyone is breaking the rules in sports, it's not just because there's a lack of morality. It's also because some of the rules are outdated, exploitative and just plain bad. Oklahoma State is simply a symptom while the NCAA remains the actual disease.
David Harkins, Madison, Wis.
Same Old Song
After reading George Dohrmann and Thayer Evans's article on OSU football (The Dirty Game), I was left with raging indifference. Players claiming they received money, coaches denying it, athletic directors feigning outrage. Yawn, yawn, yawn. Other than naming a specific university and its players, there's nothing new here.
Dale Lininger, Buda, Texas
I would like to see the boosters and the alumni who supply cash and other advantages to college athletes named and publicly shamed. It's one thing to release the names of underprivileged teenagers who take money from these guys, often to cover living expenses or to have fun on weekends. But to keep secret those adults who line these kids' pockets, knowing full well they are violating NCAA rules while doing so, shows a double standard. They should be shamed and penalized just like everyone else.
Bob Wilson Chesterfield, Mo.
I was disturbed by the fact that you omitted parts 2, 3, and 4 of your exposé on Oklahoma State from the print version of your magazine in favor of running them on your website. I like to read your articles in the magazine, which I have a subscription for, not on the computer.
Greg Murin Hopewell Junction, N.Y.
A week before your article's publication, TIME magazine ran a cover story about paying athletes (A Cut for College Athletes). In that piece author Sean Gregory gives his take on why student athletes should be compensated for their performance. Perhaps Gregory should have consulted with Dohrmann and Evans to find out what the rest of America already knows: College athletes are being paid.
Matt Kuehl, Waterloo, Iowa
Coming Up Short
It's difficult for some of your older readers like me to read about the smaller shortstops in baseball's history (Wizards like Oz) and not see Phil Rizzuto mentioned. At 5'6" and with a somewhat weak arm, Rizzuto still had great range and some of the quickest hands of his generation. In 1950 he had a league-leading .982 fielding average. He won seven World Series championships with the Yankees and was the American League MVP in '50.
Sol Gittleman, Winchester, Mass.
Can anyone explain why after all these years the former OSU players are only now coming forward with these allegations?
Rich Villalobos
Concord, Calif.
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SOCIAL MEDIA
What did you think of Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson's decision to still play after losing the top of his finger on a tackle?
Donald M Casalone He's no Jack Youngblood. He played in the playoffs in 1979 and in Super Bowl XIV with a broken leg for the Rams.
Vince Pavia Ronnie Lott must be his mentor.
Chase Wagner Not the smartest idea, but it's badass.
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